Access to Independence

Meet our Staff!

	Mary E. Ewing serves as Executive Director for Access to Independence. Mary is responsible for the overall management of the agency including staffing, budgeting and programming; advocacy and systems change activities; and representing the agency on the local, state and national level. Mary works in concert with the Board of Directors to implement strategic plans, policies and programming that are consistent with the agency's mission, vision and values.
	Chad W. Underwood serves as Chief Operating Officer for Access to Independence. Chad is responsible for the development, design, operation and improvement of the agency’s financial and operating systems, including programming, fund development, strategic planning, technology and accounting. Chad also oversees the ATI Youth Transition, Work Readiness and Systems Advocacy programs.
	Susan Lewis serves as Independent Living Coordinator for Access to Independence. Sue provides independent living skills training and peer counseling to consumers one-on-one and in class settings. Sue is a Certified Benefits Counselor and manages the agency’s work relating to nursing facility transitions and diversions. Sue also provides operations support for the management of consumer data.
	Fran Pizzola serves as Community Education Coordinator for Access to Independence. Fran develops, coordinates and presents educational and outreach programs about disability issues to diverse audiences. Fran provides independent living counseling to consumers with disabilities, their families, and others throughout the community. Fran is the agency’s founding volunteer director.
	Aaron T. Baier serves as Youth Transition / Work Readiness Coordinator for Access to Independence. In addition to handling much of the day-to-day operations of the Peer Mentoring and Youth Transition programs, Aaron conducts outreach presentations throughout the community and collaborates with other agencies to provide vocational, youth transition and independent living services to consumers.
	Rayne Butler serves as Service Coordinator for the Access to Independence Nursing Home Transition & Diversion (NHTD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver programs. Rayne assists people in obtaining and coordinating services that are necessary in order to return to or remain as independent as possible in their own communities.
	Audrey Jones serves as Architectural Barrier Programs Coordinator for Access to Independence. Audrey provides primary coordination and program support in the implementation of architectural barrier removal services provided through the DHCR Access to Home program, the DDSO, the TBI and NHTD Medicaid Waiver programs and a variety of other grant programs.
	Richard Platt serves as Architectural Barrier Specialist for Access to Independence. Richard provides expert code enforcement and ADA compliance services in the implementation of architectural barrier removal services provided through the DHCR Access to Home program, the DDSO and a variety of other grant programs.
	Kim Christie serves as Receptionist for Access to Independence. Kim provides front-line consumer support to those that call the agency or come in for an event or visit with staff. Kim provides behind-the-scenes administrative and operations support. Kim is also instrumental in providing program assistance of all kinds.
	Phyllis Schriefer serves as Clerical Assistant for Access to Independence. Phyllis provides front-line consumer support to those that call the agency or come in for an event or visit with staff. Phyllis provides behind-the-scenes administrative and operations support. Phyllis is also instrumental in providing program assistance.
	Jarett Withers serves as Clerical Assistant for Access to Independence. Jarett provides behind-the-scenes administrative and operations support for the Agency's youth transition, work readiness and systems advocacy programs. Jarett is also instrumental in providing data management support.
	Scott Roman serves as Bookkeeper for Access to Independence. Scott maintains the agency’s journals, ledgers and books of account, including accounts payable and accounts receivable. Scott also maintains organization of all financial records consistent with program and agency policies and procedures and serves as primary agency liaison during annual fiscal audit and any other periodic audit, as needed.